I wish you had entered my contest
09/07/09 08:28 Filed in: Tests
For a few months I've
been running a contest to give away one of my keynote
speeches. Depending on the destination, the
value could have been as high as $7,500
not including expenses. Today (Sept. 7, 2009) was the
last day to enter this contest. I thought was a big opportunity.
(I subscribe to the philosophy, Go Big or Stay
Home.)
THE PRIZE
I promised to drive anywhere in North America, even Alaska, at my expense, and present any title in my repertoire at your request.... at no cost to you. I was willing to sleep in my van if that was what it took, generate publicity for my appearance at your event and provide handouts at my expense to your audience members. I planned to take care of every detail for you. And you could have used the event as a fundraiser for your church, a shelter in your community, or even your personal profit. That could have meant $1,000 to $10,000 in your pocket, free and clear (except for your own income taxes.)
In case you didn't realize it, it was another of my tests for my Kindness Experiment book. To enter all you had to do was tell me 3 reasons why you would like to have a free speech for your group and 3 reasons I'd enjoy speaking to your group. I'm sure you could have brainstormed 3 things that would please me. Perhaps you would have introduced me to someone, perhaps the city or town you live in is extremely beautiful. You get the idea.
THE WINNER
Sadly, not a single person entered the contest. Had you entered, as the sole entrant, you would have won by default. You could have picked any day in the future for me to be at your event, and I would be there to present any presentation I offer. You could have set any price you wanted on attendance, and I would have brought people in the door for you. Because of this lack of interest I won't offer this contest again. And if anyone in the future asks me to speak for free, I'll simply remind them that they had a chance to win an all-expenses paid event, but didn't make the effort. Not one person even asked me for more information.
So instead of spending a week or two of my life to help someone else make a pile of cash, I will move on to writing projects that require my attention. I'm sad that nobody wanted to meet me in person. Sad and disappointed, but not angry.
Here's what I hoped to obtain for myself from the contest:
1. a feeling of being valued after the two hate campaigns I endured in Girard Pennsylvania and St. Catharines Ontario (12 years!) based only on envy.
2. an opportunity to stand in front of an audience again after being out of the public eye for so long.
3. a road trip with a destination. I so looked forward to traveling to a location where a group of people would smile to see me arrive, after enduring only threats and bullying from people in my environment.
4. a reason for the press and media to take notice. The contest combined with my presentation and its turnout might have been newsworthy resulting in some income for me. Twelve years with little income due to cruel circumstances has resulted in a pile of debt and no savings for old age.
5. a little bit of appreciation for financially helping a deserving organization or family or business from the proceeds of my speaking at an event.
6. just one big break to be able to start getting back on my feet as a contributing member of society again.
This is just one of a long series of offers I have made over the years that has met with rejection, apathy - and sometimes anger- and why I am determined to write the Kindness Experiment to teach readers to be open to what the Universe offers. The lesson I hope you will take away from this contest is: Not everyone is running a scam. Some of us - even those who have little - find joy in giving to others. In the future, when someone makes an offer to help you make money, make an effort. It could be quite profitable for you. And could be confidence-building for the giver.
But please, now that the contest has failed, rather than ask me to speak to your group for free, recommend me for a paying speaking opportunity and possibly enjoy receiving a portion of my fee as a reward. That would be a huge gift for me. I just want to work to earn my way in life.
Andrea
PS If you want to read an excerpt from The Kindness Experiment, read this story I wrote: The Benefactor. It's typical of the kind of offer I make that is rejected.
THE PRIZE
I promised to drive anywhere in North America, even Alaska, at my expense, and present any title in my repertoire at your request.... at no cost to you. I was willing to sleep in my van if that was what it took, generate publicity for my appearance at your event and provide handouts at my expense to your audience members. I planned to take care of every detail for you. And you could have used the event as a fundraiser for your church, a shelter in your community, or even your personal profit. That could have meant $1,000 to $10,000 in your pocket, free and clear (except for your own income taxes.)
In case you didn't realize it, it was another of my tests for my Kindness Experiment book. To enter all you had to do was tell me 3 reasons why you would like to have a free speech for your group and 3 reasons I'd enjoy speaking to your group. I'm sure you could have brainstormed 3 things that would please me. Perhaps you would have introduced me to someone, perhaps the city or town you live in is extremely beautiful. You get the idea.
THE WINNER
Sadly, not a single person entered the contest. Had you entered, as the sole entrant, you would have won by default. You could have picked any day in the future for me to be at your event, and I would be there to present any presentation I offer. You could have set any price you wanted on attendance, and I would have brought people in the door for you. Because of this lack of interest I won't offer this contest again. And if anyone in the future asks me to speak for free, I'll simply remind them that they had a chance to win an all-expenses paid event, but didn't make the effort. Not one person even asked me for more information.
So instead of spending a week or two of my life to help someone else make a pile of cash, I will move on to writing projects that require my attention. I'm sad that nobody wanted to meet me in person. Sad and disappointed, but not angry.
Here's what I hoped to obtain for myself from the contest:
1. a feeling of being valued after the two hate campaigns I endured in Girard Pennsylvania and St. Catharines Ontario (12 years!) based only on envy.
2. an opportunity to stand in front of an audience again after being out of the public eye for so long.
3. a road trip with a destination. I so looked forward to traveling to a location where a group of people would smile to see me arrive, after enduring only threats and bullying from people in my environment.
4. a reason for the press and media to take notice. The contest combined with my presentation and its turnout might have been newsworthy resulting in some income for me. Twelve years with little income due to cruel circumstances has resulted in a pile of debt and no savings for old age.
5. a little bit of appreciation for financially helping a deserving organization or family or business from the proceeds of my speaking at an event.
6. just one big break to be able to start getting back on my feet as a contributing member of society again.
This is just one of a long series of offers I have made over the years that has met with rejection, apathy - and sometimes anger- and why I am determined to write the Kindness Experiment to teach readers to be open to what the Universe offers. The lesson I hope you will take away from this contest is: Not everyone is running a scam. Some of us - even those who have little - find joy in giving to others. In the future, when someone makes an offer to help you make money, make an effort. It could be quite profitable for you. And could be confidence-building for the giver.
But please, now that the contest has failed, rather than ask me to speak to your group for free, recommend me for a paying speaking opportunity and possibly enjoy receiving a portion of my fee as a reward. That would be a huge gift for me. I just want to work to earn my way in life.
Andrea
PS If you want to read an excerpt from The Kindness Experiment, read this story I wrote: The Benefactor. It's typical of the kind of offer I make that is rejected.
Putting my house in order
09/06/09 22:04 Filed in: Tips
I'm about
to start writing a book.
When I studied Journalism (Writing for the Media) in university, my instructor said we should put our own house in order. He was speaking about investigative journalism: How can you write about the scandalous behavior of others if your own affairs are in disarray? So while he meant our own lives should be free of hypocrisy before we publicize wrong doings of others, I took it to mean also: How can we organize our thoughts to write clearly if our environment is messy and dirty?
So.... before I start writing the next book in earnest, I am going through my apartment, tackling any pockets of clutter and clearing and cleaning surfaces. Everything in its place. I've rearranged my library and labeled the shelves so I can find any reference I need for a chapter. My kitchen is organized: I even cleaned out the fridge and freezer and froze two big vegetable casseroles so I will have home-cooked meals with little fuss or mess.
I moved my office to my sunnier dining room, moved my bedroom to my former office, and created a yoga/pilates room where my bedroom was. All this furniture moving has created more spacious rooms that convey serenity and calm.
Next is paperwork. I still have income tax forms to fill out for 2008 when I lived in two countries. Most likely, because of unpleasant circumstances, I will have refunds coming to me, and no penalties. And there are business letters to write to clear up a number of matters that need to be addressed. More importantly, inside many boxes of files are notes for several books. I see a few weeks of purging, filing and shredding in my future.
Call it nesting if you will, I think the physical act of organizing one's living/working space gives one's brain time and inspiration to prepare mentally for the project ahead. I have a feeling I'm not alone in my desire to create harmony and peacefulness in preparation of a major project. Wasn't it Georgia O'Keefe who had to arrange the contents of her drawers before she could paint? I wonder if the Joan Allen-Jeremy Irons film will show it. (Lifetime, Saturday, Sept. 19.)
Well, I'm off to organize my shelves of office supplies and equipment and re-hang pictures in every room. If you've been procrastinating on a big project, try organizing your surroundings first. It may just be the catalyst you need.
When I studied Journalism (Writing for the Media) in university, my instructor said we should put our own house in order. He was speaking about investigative journalism: How can you write about the scandalous behavior of others if your own affairs are in disarray? So while he meant our own lives should be free of hypocrisy before we publicize wrong doings of others, I took it to mean also: How can we organize our thoughts to write clearly if our environment is messy and dirty?
So.... before I start writing the next book in earnest, I am going through my apartment, tackling any pockets of clutter and clearing and cleaning surfaces. Everything in its place. I've rearranged my library and labeled the shelves so I can find any reference I need for a chapter. My kitchen is organized: I even cleaned out the fridge and freezer and froze two big vegetable casseroles so I will have home-cooked meals with little fuss or mess.
I moved my office to my sunnier dining room, moved my bedroom to my former office, and created a yoga/pilates room where my bedroom was. All this furniture moving has created more spacious rooms that convey serenity and calm.
Next is paperwork. I still have income tax forms to fill out for 2008 when I lived in two countries. Most likely, because of unpleasant circumstances, I will have refunds coming to me, and no penalties. And there are business letters to write to clear up a number of matters that need to be addressed. More importantly, inside many boxes of files are notes for several books. I see a few weeks of purging, filing and shredding in my future.
Call it nesting if you will, I think the physical act of organizing one's living/working space gives one's brain time and inspiration to prepare mentally for the project ahead. I have a feeling I'm not alone in my desire to create harmony and peacefulness in preparation of a major project. Wasn't it Georgia O'Keefe who had to arrange the contents of her drawers before she could paint? I wonder if the Joan Allen-Jeremy Irons film will show it. (Lifetime, Saturday, Sept. 19.)
Well, I'm off to organize my shelves of office supplies and equipment and re-hang pictures in every room. If you've been procrastinating on a big project, try organizing your surroundings first. It may just be the catalyst you need.